Not all bourbons are created equal. Some have intense flavors with bold bursts of spice. Others go down smooth and make for easy, mellow drinking. If you prefer a smooth bourbon, this article is for you. 

We’ll break down the eight smoothest bourbons and tell you the best way to enjoy each one. Our list includes a wide range of flavor profiles, as well as options for every budget.

What does it mean to say a bourbon is smooth?

When you say a bourbon is smooth, that generally means it’s easy to drink, it doesn’t have harsh flavors and that it goes down with minimal burn. Though there’s no one-size-fits all way to make a smooth bourbon, here are some factors that affect a bourbon’s smoothness:

• Aging. Though bourbons must age for at least two years, many smooth bourbons age for much longer, often for at least six years. The longer aging allows it to develop a softer, more balanced flavor profile and helps filter out the harsher notes.

• Mash bill. Bourbons must contain at least 51% corn, but recipes with higher corn concentrations are often sweeter and smoother. The secondary grain (usually rye or wheat) also has a significant impact. High-rye recipes are usually bolder and spicier, while high-wheat recipes tend to be sweet and mellow.

• Proofing. Bourbons that are bottled at lower proofs, e.g., 80 to 90, are often smoother because there’s less alcohol burn and they’ve been distilled more, though it’s still possible to have smooth bourbon at higher proofs.

• Barrel char. Bourbon barrels are charred before aging, and the char level has a significant effect on the smoothness of the whiskey. The deepest level of char is Level 4, also known as alligator charring because the barrel develops a rough, cracked texture that resembles an alligator skin. The heavy char acts as a natural charcoal filter, creating a bourbon that’s stripped of many harsher compounds.

Now that you know what factors to look for if you want a bourbon that’s easy to sip, let’s walk through our picks for the eight smoothest bourbons.

1. Smoothest Bourbon Overall: Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Typical price: $43

Proof: 80

A signature metal belt graces every bottle of Basil Hayden’s. It’s a nod to the clothing worn in the days of Meredith Basil Hayden, the label’s namesake, a Maryland rye farmer who moved to Kentucky to begin distilling in the 1700s. 

Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon’s distinctive recipe has a high corn concentration that’s balanced by a high-rye mash bill. It has a sweet flavor with a spicy kick, and it’s surprisingly smooth for a high-rye bourbon. 

You’ll find tasting notes of sweet brown sugar, honey, citrus fruit and light spice. It has a fairly low proof of 80 – the minimum proof for a bourbon – which makes for a smooth and easy sipping experience that’s approachable for beginners. It’s a favorite choice for cocktails like the Boulevardier or a bourbon punch.

2. Smoothest Budget Bourbon: Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

Typical price: $22

Proof: 90

Maker’s Mark is a top pick for those seeking a mellow sipping experience and sweet tasting profile. In fact, it’s one of our favorite bourbons that cost under $30. The sweetness comes courtesy of the red winter wheat recipe. It has a soft caramel flavor with notes of vanilla and baking spices. The absence of rye in the recipe makes it especially smooth and easy to drink.

Legend has it that Maker’s Mark founder Bill Samuels Sr. wanted to start from scratch after his family had made bourbon for generations, so he burned the only copy of his family’s 170-year old bourbon recipe. His wife, Margie, suggested baking loaves of bread to develop the flavor profile they wanted to save time and money. That’s how they settled on the red winter wheat mash bill in 1954. Bottles are still dipped by hand in the signature red wax at Maker’s Mark’s distillery in Loretto, Kentucky.

3. Smoothest High-Proof Bourbon: Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Typical price: $58

Proof: 116.8

Wild Turkey’s master distiller Jimmy Russell is the longest-tenured master distiller in the world, and he was instrumental in creating Wild Turkey Rare Breed. It’s a barrel-proof bourbon, which means no water is added to dilute the flavor or lower the proof after distillation, yet it’s one of the smoothest high-proof bourbons available. 

Made from a blend of six-, eight- and 12-year-aged Wild Turkey bourbons, it delivers a solid mix of heat and flavor, with notes of toffee, caramel and spices. It’s best enjoyed neat in a whiskey glass, but if the 116.8 proof is a bit strong for your tastes, add a drop or two of water.

4. Smoothest High-Rye Bourbon: 1792 Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Small Batch

Typical price: $31

Proof: 93.7

1792 refers to the year Kentucky became a state. Like a lot of Kentucky bourbons, 1792 Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Small Batch has a high rye content. Though the recipe is a secret, many speculate that it contains at least 15% rye.

The relatively high corn concentration balances things out and makes for a sweet flavor profile, with strong notes of caramel and vanilla, plus undertones of honey and brown sugar. However, the high rye content still packs a punch at the finish. It’s a good base for a cocktail because the flavors don’t get lost in the mix. Try it in an old-fashioned, a Manhattan or a mint julep.

5. Smoothest Top-Shelf Bourbon: Blanton’s Original Single Barrel

Typical price: $153

Proof: 93

Blanton’s is the first-ever single-barrel bourbon, originally released in 1984. Today, Blanton’s Original Single Barrel is one of the most sought-after bourbons for collectors. It’s notoriously hard to find because its parent distiller, Buffalo Trace, uses an allocated distribution system. That means retailers only get a small number of bottles each year, and they often get resold on the secondary market.

The flavor is sweet and complex, with heavy caramel, citrus and oak, balanced by notes of baking spices. If you’re lucky enough to find a bottle, you probably aren’t going to want to put it in a cocktail. Sip it neat or with an ice cube to take in the full experience.

6. Smoothest Bourbon With a Long Finish: Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon OBSV

Typical price: $50

Proof: 100

Four Roses has 10 different bourbon recipes. While several of its bourbons are made with a blend of multiple recipes (its signature Four Roses Bourbon even includes all 10!), the Four Roses Single Barrel OBSV is made from a single recipe, giving it a richer and more distinct flavor. 

It’s aged for seven to nine years and features a high-rye mash bill with a yeast strain that adds a soft fruit. Tasting notes include cocoa, dried plum, vanilla and maple syrup. The finish is long and smooth, with notes of spicy rye that linger on the palette. The complex flavors and long finish make it a good choice for sipping neat, but you can also use it as the base for a highball or an old-fashioned.

7. Smoothest Bourbon With an Oaky Finish: Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 12 Years Old

Typical price: $71

Proof: 100

Knob Creek is one of four bourbons in the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection and gets its name from Abe Lincoln’s childhood home.

Its 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is especially smooth, thanks to its long aging and low rye content. It has flavor notes of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and spice with long, oaky aftertaste. Try it neat, on the rocks or with a drop or two of water.

8. Smoothest Bourbon That’s Not Made in Kentucky: Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon

Typical price: $80

Proof: 94

No, bourbon doesn’t need to be made in Kentucky. Texas is home to a vibrant bourbon scene, and Garrison Brothers is the first legal bourbon distillery outside of Kentucky and Tennessee. 

Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon has a smooth and buttery texture, with tastes of candy, cake, lemon, honeysuckle and oak, and a smoky apple finish. The Texas temperature fluctuations (scorching hot days and cooler nights) leads to faster maturation. Even though it’s only aged for three years, it tastes like a longer-aged bourbon. 

If you prefer not to drink it straight, its sweet flavors make for a tasty cocktail. Mix things up with this concoction that calls for Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon, lime juice, mint and grilled peach slices.